‘There is No Worse Enemy Than the One Who Looks Like a Friend…’ That is a paraphrase of the actual remarks attributed to Roman general and politician Lucius Cornelius Sulla – “No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full,” per Real Clear Defense. Manufactured housing has some who have portrayed themselves as “friends” who are apparently enemies to thousands of past and remaining manufactured housing independents and to the potentially millions of Americans who are without an affordable home of their own. As the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) recently reminded their readers, part of the purpose of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA or 2000 Reform Act) legislation passed with widely bipartisan support in Congress was to promote more affordable housing and more affordable home ownership. Oddly to some, despite the MHIA’s Congressional stated purpose, the numbers of HUD Code manufactured homes that have been sold in the U.S. has dramatically declined since the MHIA was passed. But part of the expected regulatory impact of the MHIA, per Congress’ document attached in the Senate’s “Section by Section Analysis” indicated: “Any direct economic impact [of passing the MHIA] is considered to be minimal, while it is believed that a secondary impact of greater commerce will result.” (Emphasis added). The Senate “SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS” documentation for the MHIA (S. 1452) also said: “CBO assumes the installation program would require on-site inspections for about 25 percent of the 400,000 homes installed annually.” When that Senate document drafted, it was already known that manufactured housing production for 1999 was 348,075 total dwellings. It was also known that manufactured housing shipments were falling. In 2000, total national production ended at 250,366 manufactured homes of all sizes. Restated, Congressional and CBO researchers were projecting that passage of the law would at least increase sales to 400,000 annually. But instead, sales and production declined after the MHIA was passed. For the intellectually curious, that begs the question – why are these facts so? Hold those thoughts in mind while pondering the following related issues. The challenge for untold numbers of the industry’s remaining independents is to have clarity on who is a friend, who is their enemy, and what – if anything – can legally be done to improve the relatively dismal status quo. That status quo – the true state of the manufactured housing industry – can in some ways be summed up in data as follows. On February 6, 2023 MHARR reported that in 2022 “cumulative production of 112,882 homes, a 6.7% increase over the 105,772 homes produced during 2021.” Two distinct MHProNews/MHLivingNews infographics reveal that manufactured housing production in 1998 totaled 373,143 new manufactured homes produced. Doing the math, that means that manufactured housing in 2022 was operating at only some 30.25 percent of its last high achieved in 1998. So, while manufactured housing has ‘recovered’ from its historic low in 2009 and 2010, what are the factors that caused that dramatic fall in the first place?

Furthermore, why are some connected to the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) compare the industry’s data mainly to that low water mark around 50,000 homes produced in 2009 and 2010 instead of to its last high-water mark in 1999 of 373,143?

Returning to the MHIA’s Senate analysis, Section 4 said: “The revisions to Section 604 would also clarify the scope of Federal preemption to ensure that disparate State or local requirements do not affect the uniformity and comprehensive nature of the Federal standards.” That should be considered additional evidence that compliments the letter from Congressional representatives about the legislative intent to HUD that MHARR and MHProNews has frequently referenced that apparently MHI oddly has not.

 

In an era where large segments of the population distrust much of mainstream media – and when sly enemies or competitors don the faux mask of friendship – affordable housing advocates, smaller to mid-size investors, public officials, industry professionals and others need facts, evidence, and objective reasoning that can be double checked by serious readers is valuable. Why doesn’t MHI make double checking their own emails difficult? Why does MHI fail to provide their own emails that are labeled as ‘news’ aren’t publicly posted as MHARR does? When distractions, paltering, posturing, deception, and misdirection are commonplace and public trust in corporate and public officials are down, the obvious response ought to be to provide clarity on facts and reasoning complimented by a commonsense approach to clarify reality vs agenda-driven claims.

Simply put, make it easier for anyone to double check an organization’s or person’s statements and claims.

With those predicates in mind, MHProNews initiated a series of tests with the new Bing artificial intelligence (AI) search and chat tools. Several of the inquiries that follow were conducted on 5.23.2022, but the first two that follower were done on 5.24.2023. One key inquiry is this: “does a true friend lie to you?” Citing Elite Daily and other sources, Bing’s AI chat replied as follows.

A true friend is someone who is honest and trustworthy. They will not lie to you and will always have your best interests at heart. However, sometimes the truth can be difficult to hear and a true friend will tell you the truth even if it’s not what you want to hear. Do you have any other questions on this topic?

 

Another question put to Bing AI’s chat was: “What is the largest and most read manufactured housing trade publication?”

 

The largest and most-read manufactured home industry focused trade media is MHProNews¹². They have documented this using third-party data and comparisons¹.

Learn more:

1. bing.com 2. manufacturedhomepronews.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com 4. manufacturedhomepronews.com 5. manufacturedhousingreview.com 6. simplecirc.com— see less”

Recall that in a prior test of Bing’s AI system when compared to others, Wired noted the weakness in each of them, but appeared to favor Bing’s AI powered chat in part because it cited sources. Meaning per Wired, Bing appears to be more transparent.

 

Another inquiry from 5.23 was this.

Q: “How long does it take Bing to incorporate new posts in their results?”

Bing automatically crawls the web to build an index of new and updated pages (or URLs) to display as a set of search results relevant to a user-initiated search or action. The content of these pages may reference or contain various online resources and content including websites, images, videos, documents, and other items¹.

However, there is no specific time when your website will be indexed on Bing. The website that you submitted needs to be assessed before it appears in the index².

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. support.microsoft.com 2. answers.microsoft.com 3. answers.microsoft.com 4. micro“

 

To test that reply, within hours of publishing the report linked below, Bing correctly answered the following inquiry.

Q: “What is the thesis of MHARR’s June 2023 Issues and Perspectives?”

According to the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), the thesis of their June 2023 Issues and Perspectives is that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) routinely shovels mountains of cash out while failing to remedy or make a dent in the nation’s affordable housing crisis. This is according to Mark Weiss, J.D., President and CEO of MHARR¹.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomepronews.com 2. ktla.com 3. manufacturedhousingassociationregulatoryreform.org 4. manufacturedhousingassociationregulatoryreform.org— see less”

Note that Bing’s AI chat suggested for the above these related topics:

What is Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform? What is the Department of Housing and Urban Development? What is affordable housing?”

 

Another inquiry was the following.

Q: “What is the thesis of James Schmitz Jr about manufactured housing?”

James A. Schmitz Jr. is an economist who has advanced a notion of “sabotaging monopolies.” In his thesis, he makes several claims that include the broader economy. But he has specifically made allegations relevant to manufactured housing. Schmitz’s thesis makes the point that those with a lower income must be able to have access to factory-built homes. He then stresses that the most cost-effective factory-built homes are HUD Code manufactured homes¹².

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomepronews.com2. einnews.com3. culturejournaliceland.com4. startribune.com5. manufacturedhomepronews.com6. manufacturedhomepronews.com— see less”

 

Bing’s normal search results on the same question said the following as its top result.

Schmitz’s thesis, found in the link above, makes the point that those with a lower income must be able to have access to factory built homes. He then stresses that the most cost effective factory-built homes are HUD Code manufactured homes.

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/598781737/cavco-solitaire-homes-deal-univ-class-on-manufactured-home-sabotage-james-a-schmitz-affordable-housing-potpourri

 

Bing was asked this.

Q: What has Tom Hardiman said about CrossMods?

Tom Hardiman, the executive director of the Modular Home Builders Association (MHBA), has criticized the CrossMods program by name. He called it ‘deceptive’ and noted that it undermines millions of existing manufactured homes in several respects¹.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. com 2. manufacturedhomepronews.com 3. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com — see less”

 

Q: What has Tom Hardiman said about MHI?

I found an article on manufacturedhomelivingnews.com that says Tom Hardiman, the executive director of the Modular Home Builders Association (MHBA), publicly blasted the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) for what he called a “deceptive” practice. It involves the Clayton Homes and their key MHI allies backed “CrossMod^TM homes” project¹.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com 2. manufacturedhomepronews.com 3. linkedin.com 4. manufacturedhomepronews.com— see less”

 

Stop and think about the following regarding the Bing AI reply above. After some 5 years of hype about how the manufactured housing industry would benefit from the Clayton Homes supported and MHI branded CrossMod^TM type manufactured homes, it is oddly difficult to find the facts online that are sought in the next inquiry.  Isn’t it obvious that MHI, Clayton, Skyline Champion Cavco Industries, et al who are pushing CrossMods are deliberately hiding that data from the public? If the data was impressive, wouldn’t they be shouting those results from the rooftops?

Given those thoughts, the following was put to Bing’s AI.

Q: How many CrossMods have been sold nationally?

According to an article on Manufactured Home Pro News, when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac data is examined, nationally, only a couple of handfuls of CrossMods are sold a year¹. Unfortunately, I could not find more recent data on this topic.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomepronews.com 2. mhisc.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com”

 

Before proceeding to the next inquiry put to Bing’s AI chat function, once more consider that reply above for a few moments. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), Clayton Homes (BRK), Skyline Champion (SKY), Cavco Industries (CVCO), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are among those organization that have poured money into the CrossMods program. Yet after scanning the internet, Bing found no more definitive answers on how many CrossMods have been sold than the above on MHProNews? As Bing AI said: “Unfortunately, I could not find more recent data on this topic.”

For curious minds that want to know instead of guess, that begs its more questions. Why hasn’t MHI, Clayton, or others made it easy to find that precise number of how many CrossMods have been built and sold? Again, isn’t it apparent that despite all of the big talk, MHI branded CrossMods are an apparent market failure? With that brief tee up of the significance of the following inquiry in mind, MHProNews asked Bing’s AI powered search and chat the following.

That tees up the following inquiry which is only found on MHProNews and those platform which have picked up and reported the research on this issue provided by MHProNews. 

 

Q: Despite years of hype hasn’t the Manufactured Housing Institute essentially admited that CrossMods are a market failure?

Yes, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has admitted that CrossMods are a market failure. According to an article on Manufactured Home Pro News, MHI confirmed the prognostications of market failure for CrossMods in a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in which MHI fails to mention the enhanced preemption enjoyed by HUD Code manufactured homes under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (MHIA) of 2000¹.

In another article on Manufactured Home Pro News, it was reported that CrossMod is a joke statistically and that Clayton Homes and MHI have been tight-lipped about the data².

I hope this helps.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomepronews.com2. manufacturedhomepronews.com3. manufacturedhomepronews.com4. manufacturedhousing.org— see less”

 

Correcting the typo (admited), a similar yet different reply was produced as shown.

Q: Despite years of hype hasn’t the Manufactured Housing Institute essentially admitted that CrossMods are a market failure? Bing’s normal search’s top response said this.

As the document obtained below and its accompanying spin, err, message to members reveal, the prognostications of market failure for CrossMods were confirmed by MHI in a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in which MHI mysteriously fails to mention the enhanced preemption enjoyed by HUD Code manufactured homes under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (MHIA) of 2000.

‘Developers Moving Away From CrossMods^®’ Manufactured Housing Institute …

It cited MHProNews on 12.16.2022 and linked the report below.

‘Developers Moving Away from CrossMods®’ Manufactured Housing Institute Oddly Admits Plan Undercuts 99 Percent of Manufactured Homes – MHI Doc, Facts, Analysis; plus MHVille REITs, Stock Updates

But the Bing AI Chat gave this reply.

Yes, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has admitted that CrossMods are a market failure. According to an article by Manufactured Home Pro News, MHI confirmed the prognostications of market failure for CrossMods in a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in which MHI fails to mention the enhanced preemption enjoyed by HUD Code manufactured homes under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (MHIA) of 2000¹.

In another article by Manufactured Home Pro News, it was reported that CrossMod is a joke statistically and that Clayton Homes and MHI have been tight-lipped about the data².

I hope this helps!

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomepronews.com 2. manufacturedhomepronews.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com 4. manufacturedhousing.org— see less”

 

Note that further inquiries made on the topics that followed and were conducted on 5.23.2023.

 

Q: Who has the largest known collection of manufactured home focused third party research?

According to an article on Fox21News.com, Manufactured Home Living News (MHLivingNews.com) has provided the largest known collection of third-party research on HUD Code manufactured housing¹.

Learn more:

1. fox21news.com 2. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com 3. einpresswire.com”

 

Q: What did the Manufactured Housing Institute do when asked by Tony Kovach to intervene in the Bryan, TX manufactured home ban?

I found an article on manufacturedhomepronews.com that says the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) did not engage on the Bryan, TX manufactured home ban before it occurred. The article also quotes Tony Kovach as saying “They will use censorship and threats to keep people in line.” I hope this helps!

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomepronews.com2. manufacturedhomepronews.com3. news10.com

 

Q: What did MHI do to support the Plant a Home project in Ayden, NC?

I’m not sure what MHI is. However, the Plant-A-Home program was proposed by Ayden Mayor Pro-tem Ivory Mewborn. The idea came as a vision from God. The program is designed to help those looking to purchase homes in the next 6 months obtain parcels at a fraction of the price. The first residents to participate in it were Tyrone and Jamie Taft¹.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. reflector.com2. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com3. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com4. aydenhousing.com5. reflector.com— see less

 

In fairness to Bing, there is more than one “MHI,” so the question was refined as follows.

Q: What did the Manufactured Housing Institute do to support the Plant a Home project in Ayden, NC?

The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) was requested by Ayden Mayor Pro Tem Ivory Mewborn to intervene in the impasse in Ayden, NC regarding “Plant A Home” installation of new manufactured homes. Mewborn cited an op-ed by Gooch in his request for MHI to intervene. Gooch presumably had the support of the MHI board and leaders. That’s routinely part of the genesis of op-ed’s like hers published by NationalMortgageNews ¹².

The Plant-A-Home program aims at providing an opportunity for more people in the area to have an affordable home of their own. However, town zoning regulations have barred the first participants in the program, Tyronne and Jaime Taft, from placing a manufactured home on the lot they own ^{3 4}.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. einpresswire.com 2. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com 4. reflector.com”

 

Q: What explains manufactured housing industry underperformance in 2023?

According to the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), the production decline indicated by the February 2023 official statistics now marks the fifth consecutive month of production declines within the manufactured housing industry. Worse yet, the degree of year-over-year decline continues to steepen, with progressively greater declines over each month of that five-month period¹.

Just-released statistics indicate that HUD Code manufacturers produced 6,577 homes in February 2023, a 29.1% decrease from the 9,281 new HUD Code homes produced in February 2022. Cumulative production for 2023 is now 13,528 homes, a 26.4% decrease from the 18,391 homes produced over the same period during 2022¹.

It seems that the industry is experiencing a decline in production and sales which could be due to various reasons such as economic downturns or changes in consumer preferences. However, it is important to note that manufactured housing has been considered a recession-resistant investment option due to its under-appreciated inflation-linkage and Cost-of-Living-Adjustment effects².

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhousingassociationregulatoryreform.org 2. seekingalpha.com 3. manufacturedhousing.org 4. multihousingnews.com— see less”

 

As was observed in our initial report on this planned periodic series on Bing search and AI chat results, note that Wired indicated that their chat could be a ‘pretty little liar.’  Errors and contradictions can occur. That noted, the point made that Seeking Alpha asserts that manufactured housing is “recession-resident” is precisely why the industry should not be in a downturn. MHProNews has documented that for decades in the 20^th century, which included prior recessions, manufactured housing held a higher market share than it has in the 21^st century.

 

Q: What is the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and what is the importance of its enhanced preemption provision?

The Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA) is a federal law that mandates specific accountability-based program reforms for the federal manufactured housing program. It directed the appointment of a non-career program administrator, established an enhanced level of federal preemption, created the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) to curb the program’s runaway regulatory activity and ensure cost-effective regulation, and was designed to transform the treatment of HUD Code homes from the “trailers” of yesteryear to legitimate, modern, affordable permanent “housing” for all purposes¹.

The enhanced preemption provision in the MHIA strengthened and enhanced federal preemption in order to allow for invalidation of state or local “requirements,” such as discriminatory zoning mandates, that have the effect of excluding mainstream manufactured homes².

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhousingassociationregulatoryreform.org 2. fox4kc.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com 4. hud.gov 5. einpresswire.com— see less”

 

Q: Why doesn’t the Manufactured Housing Institute have any reference on their website to enhanced preemption?

I’m not sure why the Manufactured Housing Institute doesn’t have any reference on their website to enhanced preemption. However, according to an article on einnews.com¹, “enhanced preemption” is the authority that Congress gave HUD through the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (MHIA) of 2000 to preempt local zoning barriers that tend to limit affordable housing. The article also mentions that the MHIA is explored in detail and that former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, the Urban Institute, FHFA, and other research are cited.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. einnews.com 2. news10.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com 4. einpresswire.com“

 

Q: Who has accused the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) of possible antitrust violations?

According to an article on Manufactured Home Living News, Clayton Homes and other Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) related companies are allegedly engaged in “felony” antitrust, possible RICO, and other market manipulating maneuvers that harm consumers and independent businesses¹. The allegations were heavily documented and raised concerns about problematic lending practices in manufactured home lending by Berkshire owned brands¹.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com2. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com3. manufacturedhomepronews.com4. manufacturedhomepronews.com— see less”

 

That answer is useful, but arguably isn’t complete. So, this follow up was asked.

Q: What has Prosperity Now’s Doug Ryan alleged about monopolization of manufactured housing?

Doug Ryan, the Interim Vice President of Policy & Applied Research at Prosperity Now, has publicly accused the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) of failing to press the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. He claims that MHI has monopolized the manufactured housing industry for too long and that it is time to end the monopoly over manufactured housing¹.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. einnews.com2. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com3. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com4. multihousingnews.com5. prosperitynow.org6. prosperitynow.org— see less

 

That’s about double the length to the FHFA document found at this link here or as a download below. The FHFA document has appeared in prior tests of Bing’s search and Bing’s AI chat function.

—–> https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3.25.2021LATonyKovach-ListeningSessionStatementPimpleOnElephantsAssMHProNews.pdf

For added context and background on the above, see the 3.3.2023 report linked below.

 

Two Years After ‘A Pimple on an Elephant’s Ass’ What’s Changed for Manufactured Housing and America? U.S. Affordable Housing Crisis’ Rearview Mirror Explored – Expert Analysis; plus MHVille Markets Recap

Q: Is there an infographic that compares manufactured housing production, RV industry production, and conventional housing starts?

Yes, there is an infographic that compares manufactured housing production, RV industry production, and conventional housing starts. You can find it on the website of einnews.com ¹. The infographic includes data from the mobile home era in 1959 through to the modern manufactured home 2021 timeframe published in 2.2022. Also included are new conventional housing starts, existing ‘resale’ homes sales, new RV shipment totals as comparison.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Learn more:

1. einnews.com2. manufacturedhomepronews.com3. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com4. homebuyernewsonline.com5. einpresswire.com6. mhvillage.com— see less”

As the closing inquiries for today, this question was put to Bing.

Q: “What did Robin Harding say about Warren Buffett moat manufactured housing?”

I found an article by Robin Harding in the Financial Times that talks about Warren Buffett’s moat in affordable manufactured housing. The article is titled “The dirty secret behind Warren Buffett’s billions” and it explains how Buffett’s moat concept goes well beyond Berkshire Hathaway and is arguably influencing much of America’s economic, political, educational, or even social and moral life. Almost everything can be weaponized to work for the advancement of “the Moat” ¹.

Learn more:

1. einpresswire.com 2. manufacturedhomepronews.com 3. manufacturedhomepronews.com 4. manufacturedhomepronews.com 5. manufacturedhomepronews.com— see less

That reply merits refinement, as the first response is a press release by MHProNews that happened to be the top response in Bing’s standard search. It highlighted the following statements.

“The Nation reported that the “Dirty Secret Behind Warren Buffett’s Billions” was a method Buffett called “the moat.” Robin Harding in the Financial Times said, “the Buffett definition of good management [for Berkshire Hathaway owned companies] is therefor clear.”

The second top result was the one linked here.

Warren Buffett’s Moat, Understanding Manufactured Housing Requires Grasping Strategic Economic Moats

The still relevant result above is from 1.31.2019. It asked the question: ‘Why aren’t more manufactured homes being sold?’

When that question was put to Bing, here is what its AI chat said on 5.24.2023.

Q: “Why aren’t more manufactured homes being sold?”

According to an article by The Ascent, there is a major shortage of lower-priced homes on the market. So the existing homes that are being sold are largely higher-priced homes that are skewing the median upward, causing it to come in higher than the median price of new construction¹.

Another article by Manufactured Home Living News suggests that answers to common questions or concerns about manufactured homes is demonstrated to lead to more purchase or sales. That’s true of any good product or service. Desire – once understood, people want something that is good for them. The Ability or Means – is clearly required to make a purchase².

I hope this helps.

Learn more:

1. fool.com 2. manufacturedhomelivingnews.com 3. einnews.com 4. npr.org”

 

Summary and Conclusion

The above are examples of inquiries put to Bing’s AI that shed light on key manufactured housing issues.

Despite the fact that the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and some of their apparently allied “amen corner” trade media (their own emails, emails by MHI affiliated state associations, MHVillage’s MHInsider, et al) collectively have literally millions of dollars more in annual budgets, Manufactured Home Pro News (MHProNews.com) and Mobile and Manufactured Home Living News (MHLivingNews.com) routinely have produced the bulk of the well documented facts, evidence, with commonsense commentary and expert analysis, as was shown by Bing’s AI above.

Additionally, MHARR – also modest in size compared to MHI – has far more information than MHI on key “post-production” focused issues that include “enhanced preemption,” the GSE’s Duty to Serve (DTS), or the production-focused DOE Energy Rule.

Millions of visits annually to MHProNews are part of the reward that detailed, honest insights, with properly referenced sources for the reported information.  The documentation for that resulted in Bing confirming MHProNews as having the largest documented manufactured housing trade news audience.

‘The U.S. Can Solve Its Housing Crisis – It Just Needs To Start Building’ Bloomberg, Washington Post Want More Manufactured Housing in 2023! Plus 2022 Year in Review, Sunday MHVille Weekly Headlines Recap

As Bing replied above, people may not always like evidence of a sobering truth that is uncomfortable.  That applies to the truths, facts, evidence, and expert commentary found on MHProNews.com or MHLivingNews.com. But as the Good Book says, only the truth can set us free.

As Bing AI’s clearly suggested, a true friend will tell you the truth, instead of clever lies, paltering, or spin that serve an agenda.

That unstated by MHI agenda in manufactured housing appears to be elimination of competition that includes consolidation at discounted valuations of competitors whenever possible. That apparent agenda by MHI may be unstated, it has been well documented by remarks made but publicly traded MHI member companies.

Bing’s AI Chat Function Answers-Why is the Manufactured Housing Industry Underperforming? Are Manufactured Homes (MH) a Good Value? More MHIndustry Questions Answered – Facts, Tips, Research Views

‘HUD Routinely Shovels Mountains of Cash Out While Failing to Remedy – or Make a Dent in – the Nation’s Affordable Housing Crisis’ MHARR’s Mark Weiss Lashes Officials; plus MHVille Markets Update

Given that Sun’s Gary Shiffman said that new communities could often be developed more profitably than buying an existing community at compressed cap rates, these facts above arguably negatively impact investors.

But those harms also impact consumers of manufactured homes. In 2000, the Senate indicated that they believed that manufactured housing would be at 400,000 annual production a year. The population has grown since then.  So, in fairness to MHI’s prior President and CEO Richard “Dick” Jennison, he had good reasons to assert that manufactured housing could achieve 500,000 new homes annually.

But MHI vice chairman and Cavco CEO William “Bill” Boor went further than Jennison. Boor told potential investors and shareholders that manufactured housing could surpass conventional housing. Fair enough, but then why hasn’t that occurred? Why did manufactured housing nosedive instead?

It takes time and effort to provide accurate facts that debunk the paltering, spin, and apparently corrupt communications from MHI and their trade publication allies. Nevertheless, besides the reward of doing what’s right, there is the added benefit of having – per Bing – the documented largest audience in manufactured housing trade media.

‘The Rules Are Simple. They Lie to Us, They Know We Know They Are Lying;’ MHVillage/MHInsider Darren Krolewski Unveils Sobering Claim – ‘How to Waste Good Money on Marketing’ – plus MHVille Stock$

It isn’t only investors or employees of manufactured housing that are being harmed by this pattern of apparent market manipulation that includes a manipulation of facts through paltering, spin, etc. Potentially millions of possible manufactured home buyers, taxpayers, public coffers (budgets for affordable housing) and others are harmed too.

 

 

A few may benefit by harming others, but that harm appears to cross legal lines, per research by Samuel “Sam” Strommen, James A. “Jim” Schmitz Jr., Doug Ryan, and others. It is past time for public officials to step in and legally act. Strommen bluntly said that antitrust action is warranted and that MHI should be deprived of Noerr protection should antitrust action occur.  Time will tell if or when state and federal officials will act on the evidence that is harming so many by the apparent misdeeds of relatively few.  See the related fact and evidence packed reports and analysis for more. ##

‘Texas Production Through March was 5368 in 2022, 3455 in 2023=35.6% Drop. Hard to See That as Anything but Trouble” TRERC Admits MHProNews ‘Correct-This is Sentiment Survey;’ Plus MHMarkets Update

Andrew Justus, J.D., Niskanen Center Housing Policy Analyst, Hill Op-Ed Asks and Answers – ‘What’s Holding Back Manufactured Homes?’ Sunday Weekly MHVille Headlines in Review

‘HUD Routinely Shovels Mountains of Cash Out While Failing to Remedy – or Make a Dent in – the Nation’s Affordable Housing Crisis’ MHARR’s Mark Weiss Lashes Officials; plus MHVille Markets Update

Bing’s AI Chat Function Answers-Why is the Manufactured Housing Industry Underperforming? Are Manufactured Homes (MH) a Good Value? More MHIndustry Questions Answered – Facts, Tips, Research Views

“Played”-Publicly Traded Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Members, MHI News Update Reveals True State of Manufactured Housing Industry in May 2023-Facts, Analysis, and MHVille Markets Update

Manufactured Home ‘Energy Rule Delayed’–Manufactured Housing Institute Aptly Says ‘More Work to Be Done’–Clayton & Independent Builder Insights, Analysis-plus Sunday Weekly Headlines in Review

Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Claims Contradicted by Cavco Industries IR Statements, ‘Shortage of Affordable Housing Costs Economy $2Trillion Annually;’ plus MHVille Markets Update

Manufactured Housing Institute Claims ‘Effective Branding’ for ‘Manufactured Housing’-Seriously? Target Rich Satirical Saturday Examines MHI Claims, Messaging, RESULT$; plus MHVille Stocks Update

Cavco’s Inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report Examined – ‘Ask Questions-Raise Concerns if They Exist’ – BBB Rating, Corp History, Other Factual Insights and Evidence Explored

Lawyer Tip$, LCI, PATK, Scholar=Manufactured Housing Institute Insider Says Manufactured Home Industry Sales ‘Will Never Recover to Prior Levels In Our Lifetime;’ plus MHVille Stocks Update

Flagship Communities REIT to Acquire 3 Manufactured Home Communities for $21 Million, Manufactured Housing Institute Firm Touts ESG Score as States Ramp Anti-ESG Actions; plus MHMarkets Update

At Zell’s Death, Manufactured Housing Properties Inc. Announces Increased Revenue, New Acquisitions, and Increased Net Losses in Quarterly Results ending March 31, 2023; plus MHVille Market Updates

 

Part III – Daily Business News on MHProNews Markets and Headline News Segment

The modifications of our prior Daily Business News on MHProNews format of the recap of yesterday evening’s market report are provided below. It still includes our signature left (CNN Business) and right (Newsmax) ‘market moving’ headlines. The macro market moves graphics will provide context and comparisons for those invested in or tracking manufactured housing connected equities.

In minutes a day readers can get a good sense of significant or major events while keeping up with the trends that are impacting manufactured housing connected investing.

Reminder: several of the graphics on MHProNews can be opened into a larger size. For instance: click the image and follow the prompts in your browser or device to OPEN In a New Window. Then, in several browsers/devices you can click the image and increase the size. Use the ‘x out’ (close window) escape or back key to return.

NOTICE: our left-right headline capture function failed. We regret the inconvenience.  That said, the market graphics are provided below.

Notice: the graphic below can be expanded to a larger size.

See the instructions below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.

Notice: the graphic below can be expanded to a larger size.

See the instructions below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.

2022 was a tough year for many stocks. Unfortunately, that pattern held true for manufactured home industry (MHVille) connected stocks too.

See the facts, linked below.

‘Stomach Churning Year’ CNN-Wall Street ‘Forget 2022’ Down Year – Major Equities Data Compared to Manufactured Housing Stocks, Manufactured Home Community REITs, Performance for Year by Company

 

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Updated

• • • NOTE 1: The 3rd chart above of manufactured housing connected equities includes the Canadian stock, ECN, which purchased Triad Financial Services, a manufactured home industry finance lender.
    • NOTE 2: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
    • NOTE 3: Deer Valley was largely taken private, say company insiders in a message to MHProNews on 12.15.2020, but there are still some outstanding shares of the stock from the days when it was a publicly traded firm.  Thus, there is still periodic activity on DVLY.
    • Note 4: some recent or related reports to the REITs, stocks, and other equities named above follow in the reports linked below.

Legacy Housing Financial Results and Earnings Call 1Q 2023-‘Sales Slowed but Margins Improved’ Duncan Bates Boasts of Manufactured Housing ‘Business Tailwinds’ Official Data-Analysis

Manufactured Housing Institute Claims ‘Effective Branding’ for ‘Manufactured Housing’-Seriously? Target Rich Satirical Saturday Examines MHI Claims, Messaging, RESULT$; plus MHVille Stocks Update

Sun Communities – ‘Development in Our DNA,’ ESG Stance, Q4 2022 Year End Results Earnings Call & PR – Facts, Insights Beyond PR and Official SUI Statements; plus MHVille REITs, Stocks Update

Nobility Homes, Inc. Sales and Earnings for its Fiscal Year 2022 Report, Result$ Best Inflation – Net After Taxes Up 34%, More Fact$; DeSantis ESG and NOBH; plus MHVille Stocks, Market Updates

‘Killing’s as Easy as Breathing’ ‘Bad Guys Know More Games’ Warren Buffett Annual Berkshire Hathaway Letter, Clayton Homes, 21st, VMF-Manufactured Home Loans-Compelling MHVille Expert Views

Nobility Homes, Inc. Sales and Earnings for its Fiscal Year 2022 Report, Result$ Best Inflation – Net After Taxes Up 34%, More Fact$; DeSantis ESG and NOBH; plus MHVille Stocks, Market Updates

‘Manufactured Housing in the News,’ Unpacking UMH CEO Sam Landy Op-Ed’ It’s Time for Bi-Partisanship on Affordable Manufactured Housing Homeownership’ in HousingWire; plus MHMarkets Updates

Manufactured Housing Properties-Results for Three and Nine Months Ending September 30.2022–Exploring ‘Mobile Home Park’ Manufactured Home Community Investing; plus MHVille REITs, Stocks Update

CEO Mark Yost, Skyline Champion Insiders SELL Million$ Value SKY Stock, Home Sales Drop-4th Q 2022 (3QFiscal2023), Official Result$-Facts, Analysis, Info Beyond PR; plus MHVille Stocks Update

Triad Financial Services Q2-2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS, per ECN Capital – Several Bright Spots in Manufactured Home Market Highlighted, Including Communities, Retail, Land-Home, Floor; MHStocks Update

BlackRock Document Exposes Central Banks like Federal Reserve on Recession; Manufactured Home Producer Cavco Industries 2022 Year End Results (CVCOQ3.23) Facts+Analysis; plus MHVille Stocks Update

Manufactured Home Communities (a.k.a. ‘Mobile Home Parks’ – SIC) – Exploring UMH Properties; Fellow Manufactured Housing Institute Member Yes! Communities Suits and Settlements; plus MH Markets Updates

2023 …Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21^st Mortgage, Vanderbilt Mortgage and other factory-built housing industry suppliers.
· LCI Industries, Patrick, UFPI, and LP each are suppliers to the manufactured housing industry, among others.
· AMG, CG, and TAVFX have investments in manufactured housing related businesses. For insights from third-parties and clients about our publisher, click here.

Disclosure. MHProNews holds no positions in the stocks in this report.

· For expert manufactured housing business development or other professional services, click here.
· To sign up in seconds for our industry leading emailed headline news updates, click here.

• Manufactured housing, production, factories, retail, dealers, manufactured home, communities, passive mobile home park investing, suppliers, brokers, finance, financial services, macro-markets, manufactured housing stocks, Manufactured Home Communities Real Estate Investment Trusts, MHC REITs.

That’s a wrap on this installment of “News Through the Lens of Manufactured Homes and Factory-Built Housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, stock, investing, data, metrics, reports, fact-checks, analysis, and commentary. Third-party images or content are provided under fair use guidelines for media.) (See Related Reports, further below. Text/image boxes often are hot-linked to other reports that can be access by clicking on them.)

By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship along with numerous awards in history. There have been several awards and honors and also recognition in manufactured housing. For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Played”-Publicly Traded Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Members, MHI News Update Reveals True State of Manufactured Housing Industry in May 2023-Facts, Analysis, and MHVille Markets Update

Anar Pitre-CEO Lotus Capital Partners-Vexing Manufactured Housing Institute Claims in Fact Check of Forbes ‘What Manufactured Home Communities Investors Need to Know’ – Inaccurate MHI Data Shown

Call for Congressional Oversight Hearings of Manufactured Home Industry Regulators Highlighted by Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR); plus MHVille Markets Update

‘Global Disinformation Index’ Warren Buffett Ally Bill Gates’ Microsoft Org Charged-Cutting Revenue to Conservative Views via Xandr, GDI; plus Sunday MHVille Headlines Recap

#1 Texas’ Manufactured Housing Builders Survey Says They are ‘Ready for a Rebound’ But Data Point in Question, DOE MH Energy Rule Too – Facts, Analysis; plus, MHVille Stocks, Markets Update

Clayton-Next Step Off-Site Built ‘White Paper’-Manufactured Homes, ThinkND ‘Magic of the Mind-Everyday Illusion, Misdirection, Deception’ MHI Members’ Claims Analyzed; plus MHVille Markets Update

After Admitted Failure, Manufactured Housing Institute Doubles Down on CrossMods® in AP Terminology Doc Acquired by MHProNews–Are MHI Leaders Sabotaging MHVille Independents? Plus MHStocks Update

 

Manufactured Housing Institute Claims ‘Effective Branding’ for ‘Manufactured Housing’-Seriously? Target Rich Satirical Saturday Examines MHI Claims, Messaging, RESULT$; plus MHVille Stocks Update